Metro CEO Greanias: 'No excuse' for behavior

Published 5:30 am, Monday, August 8, 2011

Metro CEO George Greanias speaks to the media in June about an unrelated issue.

Metro CEO George Greanias speaks to the media in June about an unrelated issue.

Photo: Patrick T. Fallon, Houston Chronicle File

Metro's Greanias: 'No excuse' for porn at work

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Before George Greanias could get back to running the Metropolitan Transit Authority on Monday, he had to deal with the embarrassment of his suspension for surfing sexually explicit websites while using the agency's Internet network.

Soon after arriving at his office at 7:30 a.m. after a weeklong suspension without pay, Greanias issued apologies to employees and to the public, offering no excuse for his behavior but stressing the importance of returning to Metro's mission.

In his first public comments since the July 28 suspension, Greanias said he's passionate about the agency's importance to the community and feels confident that he and Metro can get beyond the suspension.

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"If we don't figure out transit once and for all in the greater Houston region, we're going to cripple our economic future," he said during an interview at Metro headquarters.

"Every business leader I've talked to acknowledges that fact, every political leader, every community leader," he said. "I came back because I believe in the mission. The best thing I can do now is get back to the mission."

He plunged into the task of self-rehabilitation Monday while resuming business.

"I'm determined that we won't lose a step because of my misstep," he said.

By 9:30 a.m. he had met with staffers for updates on what happened while he was out, issued his apology to employees and been interviewed by a reporter.

His schedule later included a two-hour meeting with representatives of the Standard & Poor's rating agency, as part of getting a Metro credit rating for a planned bond sale, probably in September.

Greanias, 63, was suspended after he got caught surfing adult-content websites on Metro's premises using his personal computer and the agency's wireless Internet system.

His statement Monday to the public said, in part, "I made a terrible mistake by not only violating Metro policy, but also by letting down everyone in this agency and the public. There was no excuse for my behavior and I won't offer one.

"I broke our policy and I broke trust with Metro employees and the public. I am truly sorry and apologize to every Metro employee, every Metro board member, elected officials, stakeholders, every Metro rider and to the public. I take full responsibility and have accepted my suspension without pay as appropriate and justified."

At an annual salary of $235,000, Greanias lost about $4,500 from the suspension.

Although the activity violated Metro policy and has been a major embarrassment for the agency and its CEO, he said Monday he had done nothing illegal.

Asked why he didn't realize these website visits would leave a record that could be traced, Greanias responded that the question was not relevant.

"The relevant point is there is no justification for doing it in work hours," he said. "That was not appropriate conduct. The fact is I shouldn't be doing it in this office no matter how many hours I work."

In his apology letter to employees, Greanias said he understood they might have questions and that he's prepared to answer them.

Greanias said he felt blessed to work with a great group of people and, with their support, is eager to get back to work.

"There's so much to do, and I do believe we're really on the right path," he said.

Metro's board chairman, Gilbert Garcia, said he has confidence in Greanias to be as successful now as he was before the suspension.

"We're going to get through this hurdle," Garcia said. "We're not going to change quarterbacks when we're about to enter the playoffs."